# Excel Just Got Smarter — Meet the NEW =COPILOT() Function Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hprz9xj5Vag Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/hprz9xj5Vag Generated: 2025-08-18T17:03:02.204+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Excel now features a new =COPILOT() function that integrates AI directly into spreadsheets, enabling users to extract data, summarize information, and even generate creative content like itineraries and fun ratings based on specified prompts and data ranges, significantly boosting productivity and analytical capabilities. **Key Points:** - Excel now includes a new =COPILOT() function that integrates AI directly into spreadsheets. - The =COPILOT() function can be used to extract specific data, like names and phone numbers, from text using prompts and patterns. - It can also generate content, such as creating itineraries or rating activities with emojis, based on provided data and prompts. - The function is dynamic, automatically recalculating results when the source data changes. - Using =COPILOT() requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license linked to a work or school account. - The function is intended for everyday tasks and is not designed for heavy mathematical computations or processing massive datasets. ![Screenshot at 00:03: The presenter introduces the new =COPILOT\(\) function in Excel, explaining its AI-powered capabilities for data manipulation and content generation directly within spreadsheets.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hprz9xj5Vag/00-00-03.png) **Context:** This video introduces and demonstrates the new =COPILOT() function in Microsoft Excel, highlighting its ability to integrate artificial intelligence directly into spreadsheet tasks. The presenter, Kevin Stratvert, showcases how this function can be used for data extraction, summarization, and content generation, significantly enhancing workflow efficiency for various data analysis and planning activities. ## Detailed Analysis Microsoft Excel has introduced a powerful new AI-powered function, =COPILOT(), which allows users to leverage artificial intelligence directly within their spreadsheets. This function can perform various tasks, including data extraction, summarization, and content generation. The video demonstrates how to use =COPILOT() by inputting a prompt and referencing specific data ranges. For instance, it shows how to extract names and phone numbers from a list of customer callback requests using a regular expression pattern. It also illustrates how to generate a fun rating for different activities in a class visit itinerary by providing a prompt that specifies the desired output format (emojis). The function is dynamic, recalculating results automatically when the source data changes, and requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license tied to a work or school account. While powerful for everyday tasks, the video notes that Copilot is not designed for heavy math or massive datasets, for which Excel has existing functions. ### Introduction of =COPILOT() Function - AI integration in Excel - data extraction, summarization, content generation - prompt-based functionality ### Data Extraction Example - Extracting names and phone numbers from customer requests using a REGEX pattern - referencing specific cells and ranges - dynamic updates ### Content Generation Example - Creating a fun rating itinerary for different activities - using emojis based on prompts - adapting to different grade levels (high school vs. kindergarten) ### Usage Requirements - Microsoft 365 Copilot license tied to work/school account - limitations for heavy math and large datasets ![Screenshot at 00:00: The video opens with the Microsoft Excel logo illuminated by spotlights, introducing the topic of a major upgrade.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hprz9xj5Vag/00-00-00.png) ![Screenshot at 00:03: A man introduces the new =COPILOT\(\) function in Excel, explaining its ability to use AI directly within spreadsheets.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hprz9xj5Vag/00-00-03.png) ![Screenshot at 00:10: The screen shows an Excel sheet with a "Cookie Type" column, demonstrating the =COPILOT\(\) function for generating descriptions.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hprz9xj5Vag/00-00-10.png) ![Screenshot at 00:34: A simple example of using =COPILOT\(\) to generate three cookie types is shown, starting with typing "=copilot\("give me 3 cookie types"\)".](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hprz9xj5Vag/00-00-34.png) ![Screenshot at 01:37: The formula =COPILOT\("Give me a description of each",A2#\) is entered into cell B2 to extract descriptions for cookie types.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hprz9xj5Vag/00-01-37.png) ![Screenshot at 02:36: The video shows customer reviews in Excel and the use of =COPILOT\(\) to determine sentiment and category for each review.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hprz9xj5Vag/00-02-36.png) ![Screenshot at 03:34: The formula =COPILOT\("Evaluate these reviews",A2#, "based on these header columns", B1:C1\) is entered to analyze reviews based on sentiment and category.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hprz9xj5Vag/00-03-34.png) ![Screenshot at 04:08: The results of the Copilot function are displayed, showing the sentiment \(Positive, Neutral, Negative\) and category \(Taste, Service, Packaging, Quality, Size, Price\) for each review.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hprz9xj5Vag/00-04-08.png) ![Screenshot at 07:42: A list of customer callback requests is shown in Excel, with names and phone numbers.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hprz9xj5Vag/00-07-42.png) ![Screenshot at 08:03: The formula =COPILOT\("Extract the name", A3#\) is entered to extract names from the customer requests, referencing cell A3.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hprz9xj5Vag/00-08-03.png)